Le Petit Saint-Benoît
by allthebest • 1 Feb ’08 • foods, Paris, travel • 12 Comments
This will be my last post on Paris, but before I close the week I have to do a post on my favorite meal in Paris. Yes, there are many wonderful restaurants and our dinner with Michael and Thomas at Brasserie Balzar was amazing. But the place that won my heart and tummy was Le Petit Saint-Benoit. A Paris restaurant dating back to 1901 the interior seems equally old, right down to the tin ceiling and tarnished mirrors. The daily menu is handwritten and then duplicated using the old dittomaster method of the 1960s.
We walked in an hour before closing, as did a very large group of locals. A few people were seated before us, but we took it in stride and with a smile. Obviously the right tactic. A very kind waitperson brought us a glass of wine and assured us she would seat us as soon as possible. I will add that the house red was extremely drinkable and we were shown extreme patience with our less than stellar French (we can order wine, say hello and count to ten…with help!)
We each ordered a large steaming bowl of Beef Bourguignon, easily the best we have ever eaten. A delicious mélange of flavors, the tender beef fell apart in the rich deep broth. We kept ordering more bread just to soak up the juices. If you go to Petit Saint Benoit do get there when they open to get a table, as it usually fills up quickly. And just as in 1901, they still do not take credit cards.
I will end by saying that our first trip to Paris was sheer bliss and I cannot wait to return in July. For all the Parisian stereotypes one sometimes hears we had nothing but pleasant encounters.
Photos from Le Petit Saint-Benoît website
Great choice! One of my favorite places to dine!
All the posts this week on Paris have been just great!
yummy!!!!!!
We loved it Mary Beth!
Thanks anonymous!
Yummy indeed!
How charming. I’m taking notes as I’m going to Paris for the first time in a few months myself! You’re a great virtual tourguide!
Thanks Be the Change…you must go to Petit Saint Benoit!
And you know what’s really GREAT? Being able at long, long last to have a meal or a drink in Paris without having smoke blown in your face the entire time. Believe me, that’s bliss! I thought it would never happen.
I’ve enjoyed all your post this week and this last one was de-lish!
Looks and sounds delicious. And to follow up on Mary-laure’s comment: did you experience any grumpy smokers?
Not to my knowledge Miss Cavendish…if I did I was completely oblivious to it!
great posts, i am going to read through them more thoroughly over the coming days -there is so much to see in paris and i love seeing what other people find! great comment mary-laure, i am so looking forward to that myself when i am there next, woohoo!
Thanks for the comment. Although I disagree about Petite Benoit. Went there with my 63 y/o mother and the guy was so rude, that we had to live. I've been living in Paris for last 10 years and I never exeperienced such a lousy service before. The worst example of bad french service and arrogance.